Happy New Year!

Getting ready for this evening’s festivities. No matter what you do tonight, have fun, be safe and repeat after me — 2008: Be Great!

Make a List, Check It Twice…

By now, you’ve probably seen ads for the new Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman movie, The Bucket List. In it, the duo make a list of everything they want to do before they kick the bucket, so to speak — and then they do everything, no exceptions.

(This reminds me of a speech Ted Leonsis gave, during which he shared the 101 things he decided to do after a nearly fatal plane crash. The speech was pretty amazing.)

So, I started thinking about my own list, although this was Troy’s idea (see, I told you I’d give you credit). Making a list is a lot harder than you think; you shouldn’t just put on it random things that seem interesting, because you have to check off everything. But you shouldn’t leave something off that is important but hard, just because you know you’ll have to do it.

Well, in the spirit of sharing, here’s my list so far and in no particular order:

• go to Italy;
• have babies;
• learn how to play the piano;
• work at the White House;
• own a home;
• do one noteworthy thing that makes the world better;
• hold a monkey; and
• walk the Appalachian Trail.

I think the point of the list is to add to it as you go through life, so stay tuned. Now, what’s on your list?

2007: Don’t Let the Door Hit You…

This has not been my best year. Interestingly, most people tell me this has been a poo year for them, too.

Someone should start a Web page where visitors anonymously post all the crap things that have happened in 2007. Then, at midnight on the 31st, the Web page should self-destruct, symbolically erasing the past.

Of course, you can do this old-school style and go out in the yard with a big pot. Write the crap things on scraps of paper, put them in the pot, and set the whole shebang ablaze. Just have a fire extinguisher nearby, and hope for a windless night. Also, hope no one sees you and thinks you’re mental.

Now, being a positive person, I’d like to know what happened this year that was very, very good. I’ll start: Avery was born. And another: we got Maddy!

Now you.

Merry Christmas!

Sorry for posting a little late, but Merry Christmas! Hope it was a wonderful day for you and your family.

Did Santa bring anything exciting?

I Do Not Accept, Part Two

Yeah, I’m sick. But I get to stay home today!

…Update: OK, the sick thing has lasted a while. I’ll tell you, though: you can catch up on a lot while sequestered to the couch. For instance, I have watched maybe 30 movies. Also, I’ve plowed through three books.

How do you entertain yourself when you’re home sick?

Who Has This Much Time?

Well, they say many couples who divorce do so over money. Check out this story about the woman who married 23 times (concurrently) out of greed.

I Do Not Accept

Friends, I firmly believe in the power of positive thinking. It has helped me accomplish some great things, and get past some more difficult things. It also helps me be a medical marvel.

You see, any time I feel like I am getting sick, I say, “I am not getting sick, because I am well.” And then I don’t get sick. I would say this works 90 percent of the time. In fact, I haven’t had a cold in almost two years.

So who gave me the evil strain of whatever that has ruined my streak? I knew things were bad when I was so exhausted after an hour of Christmas shopping that I almost got in one of the display beds as Macy’s last night. This seemed neither wrong nor innapropriate. And then they sent me home from work today; I think this was decided when I reported that my eyebrows hurt.

Fine. I will concede that I am tired and in pain. I may even be a little cranky. But I am not yet ready to accept that I am sick.

Probably tomorrow I will.

What do you do when you think you’re getting a cold? Any good home remedies?

I’m Back!

Sorry to leave you for a few days. It has been a very exciting couple of weeks that included all of the following and more:

• a visit from two of my favorite people on the planet;  
• babies, babies and more babies;
• the end of a semester, and the resumption of sleep;
• holiday extravaganzas; and
• other stuff I’ll keep to myself.

Here are some of my favorite pictures to come out of these adventures. First, let’s take a peek at Alice’s holiday party. I’m guessing someone told us a story that made us feel judgmental and/or like biting someone.

Hehe! Then we have the Ladies of the Digital Age.

So cute! And finally, we have Avery’s baptism. What an angel, my goddaughter!

Good times! What have you been up to lately?

Because You Need These Things, Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas, friends! I’ve found that, as the end of the fall semester draws near, I get ansy for the holidays. This year is no different.

So, as part of the “Because You Need These Things” series, I present the Christmas Edition! (In the future, I will consider other holidays upon request.) This is more of a “places” list than a “things” list, but you get the idea. 

Downright Dickensian

• Mount Vernon. So pretty, and George Washington himself will give you hot cider. Excellent gift shop, too!
• The Smithsonian Institution. I can’t pick one museum I like the best, so give yourself a day to hit as many as possible and take in the decorations. Then head to the Ellipse to see the National Christmas Tree.
• The City of Fairfax and the Bailiwick Inn (this one is for Caroline and John). I won’t give away why this place is special, and I know the link I provided isn’t much. Just take my word and go there, and make some great memories.

Sounds of the Season

• The National Cathedral. The Messiah. The sing along! I also really like Lessons and Carols at St. John’s, which is across from the White House.
• Various Theaters. Maybe you like the Nutcracker. Maybe you like A Christmas Carol. Maybe you like it when the holidays really Pop. Whatever you prefer, don’t let the holidays come and go without a good show.
• (Hate to admit it, but I’ve already said I like Celine Dion, so here goes) 97.1, WASH-FM. While I refuse to turn this on until after Thanksgiving (no rushing the holidays), I like the Christmas station. F-e-s-t-i-v-e!

Away in a Manger (or a luxury hotel. Or my house.)

• The Willard Hotel. I just love it, and it’s my favorite.
• The Mayflower Hotel. So many cozy nooks and crannies. Perfect for catching up, or catching your breath after Christmas shopping.
• My Mom’s House. Seriously, it’s the best. From decorations to baked goods and everything in between, Midgie makes Christmas perfect. Also v. fluffy pillows.

Of course, it’s not where you go but with whom that matters. What is your favorite thing to do during the holidays?

Aww…

As I’ve mentioned previously, I am hooked on the Craigslist “Missed Connections.” I love thinking that neighbors are out there spotting one another, then finding each other again through second chances.

Whatever, guilty pleasure.

Well, today heralded the first ever Craigslist proposal. You can read it here. Then, you can read her response here. Even Craig himself commented!

Isn’t it fun that no two proposals are ever the same? What’s your favorite proposal story? I have to say, my friends have accumulated some pretty good ones over the years, so I’ll let you talk amongst yourselves. I’ll give you a topic: you.

And on that note: congratulations to Kristen and Dan, who got engaged this weekend! Best wishes to you both for all good things.